1
as in to reduce
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the view that such a system degrades doctors to the status of medical employees who ultimately are not in charge of their patients' health care
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to deteriorate
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
degrading the school's animal mascot with a silly costume
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to humiliate
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the players degraded themselves with their crude antics off the field
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in insulting
intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value
made degrading comments about his so-called friend behind his back
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in reducing
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the view that such a system degrades doctors to the status of medical employees who ultimately are not in charge of their patients' health care
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deteriorating
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
degrading the school's animal mascot with a silly costume
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in humiliating
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the players degraded themselves with their crude antics off the field
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of degrade
Deva Lee,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
That capability is particularly relevant in the Indo-Pacific, where any future conflict would likely involve extensive jamming, communications disruption, and attempts to degrade satellite navigation systems.
—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
22 June 2026
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
There’s an adjustment period — percale can feel crisp at first — but most people acclimate within a week or two and find cotton softens further with every wash, rather than pilling or degrading like synthetics.
—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Apr. 2026
IEEE Spectrum,
11 June 2026
The country’s ministry of culture and sports set out a series of rules and regulations which included no pyro, no face paint and no shouting of words that could be degrading towards any person on the field, not even the referee.
—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Verb
For Israel, not having the freedom of action to further degrade Hezbollah is anathema – and a serious test of its close alliance with the United States.
—
Deva Lee,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
That capability is particularly relevant in the Indo-Pacific, where any future conflict would likely involve extensive jamming, communications disruption, and attempts to degrade satellite navigation systems.
—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
22 June 2026
Adjective
In principle, there is no such thing as intrinsically degrading work; degradation is a cultural phenomenon.
—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
There’s an adjustment period — percale can feel crisp at first — but most people acclimate within a week or two and find cotton softens further with every wash, rather than pilling or degrading like synthetics.
—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
On top of that, ionizing radiation in space from cosmic rays and other sources poses a unique challenge, degrading the solar panels, the radiative coolers, and the chips themselves.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
11 June 2026
The country’s ministry of culture and sports set out a series of rules and regulations which included no pyro, no face paint and no shouting of words that could be degrading towards any person on the field, not even the referee.
—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for degrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrade
Verb
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New flyover ramps connecting to I-95 would also be built, while sound barriers would be installed along both sides of the corridor to help reduce traffic noise for nearby residents.
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The rich treatment balances strengthening plant proteins with nourishing rosehip and sweet almond oils to reduce breakage and replenish moisture.
Verb
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has been accused of secluding himself from the deteriorating realities of his invasion of Ukraine.
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Even though the mice on the sugar-free diet did not gain any extra weight compared to the control group, their internal health indicators deteriorated.
Verb
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Only the United States was humiliated; both countries have experienced a catastrophic loss.
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However, they were then humiliated 2-1, after extra time, by second division side Torreense in the final.
Verb
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Crowley, who was demoted to another position, filed a lawsuit against the city, saying the mayor engaged in a retaliation campaign.
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With Wells expected back, the Yankees will have to demote one of their incumbent catchers.
Verb
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Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images BEIJING — China’s consumer spending slowdown persisted in June, with growth during one of the country’s largest online shopping festivals weakening sharply from a year earlier.
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All three of those protagonists have been weakened in their roles by what has gone on.
Verb
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Instead, they are encouraged to view blue zones primarily through the lens of a sloppy critique that has already been discredited.
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This doesn’t discredit the fact that mental and physical changes from menopause can be disorienting and jarring.
Verb
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These movies are about shocking and surprising the audience by setting up an expectation and then subverting that expectation.
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Director Wes Craven executes a masterclass in tension, shock, and subverting expectations.
Verb
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Critics wondered whether prices would crash before kickoff, and if swathes of empty seats would embarrass FIFA’s pricing strategy.
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With no league and no roadmap, a ragtag group of players and an unlikely coach endured a grueling two-year training camp, hoping simply not to embarrass their nation at the first-ever World Cup on American soil.
Cite this Entry
“Degrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrade. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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